Single's Awareness Month...

Just a quick update on my New Year's Resolutions... they are actually going pretty well. Some, like I knew they would, went to the wayside. I knew ahead of time that I had set A LOT of them for myself, but I also knew that some would become less important than I originally thought. So, the most important ones are going fantastic, but some have been weeded out. And I think the most important part about setting goals and making resolutions for yourself is that you can't beat yourself up over it if you don't necessarily complete them. You can't move backward in life, only forward. Every day passes, even without your permission. So, there is no use in getting upset with myself over not completing some of my goals for last month, all I can do is try harder this month.

For example, I didn't get all of Northanger Abby read, but that is ok. I am still in the middle of it (loving it, by the way!) but I have also started a new book. It's called As Always, Dave by Jack Weyland. I'm very excited about it. I don't normally read much LDS fiction because I think that most of them are too schmoopy and idealistic. But, so far, I'm really enjoying it. I'm not going to be upset with myself for not reading Northanger Abby by the end of January, I will just continue to read it on the side. I'm always in the middle of several books at a time, so it's not a big deal for me to have it sitting there as well.

So, this month is February and it is my least favorite month. Even while I had a valentine of my own, I still didn't like it. And I really took some time to think about why. So, the following is my conclusion... read on if you dare!

I've had several serious relationships in my life so far. And I can only think of one really great Valentine's Day. It was when I was 16 or 17. My boyfriend at the time was my best friend (my best guy friend anyway). We didn't do anything super spectacular, we just spent time together and I think that he took me to dinner. But, the thing that stood out in my mind was the fact that we were together. That's all it took to make it amazing.

I hate the fact that Valentine's Day has become so commercialized. Everyone has to spend so much money to buy all sorts of ridiculous flowers and candy and stupid stuft animals. Why? What's the point? The flowers are going to die within days, if not hours, the candy just goes straight to my hips and the stuft animals just go in a box. Why spend so much money for one day? Isn't Valentine's Day supposed to be about showing the person you have chosen to be your valentine just how much you love them and why you feel that way?

A guy doesn't have to spend money on gifts, cards, or flowers for him to show me that he loves me. A guy just has to make me feel that I'm special to him. And maybe for others, gifts are the way they feel loved, but for me... it's caring words, time well spent together, and random acts of service. The next man who will be my valentine, hopefully, will be secure enough with himself and the relationship and feelings he has with and for me that he won't have to spend lots of money to show me just how much he cares. Hopefully, he will know and love me enough that he will be able to show me just how special I am by simply being with me. I have never had a "perfect" Valentine's Day, even the one 9-10 years ago was only pretty close, so I can't really say there is anything specific for him to do. I hope that when that time comes, my perfect man will know the perfect thing to do for that day.

So, until the day comes, when my Mr. Right bounds unexpectedly into my life, I celebrate Single's Awareness Day. And it is going to be perfection this year. My momma, sister and I are getting out of town, going to SLC, spending Sunday on Temple Square and enjoying the peace that comes from being a family and knowing that the love we have for each other doesn't require money to show one another, just time and energy and making each other laugh. It's simple, it's free, and it's perfect.